Leaves in 8 daysIndependence of the Seas vs Royal Princess
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT — 8% more than Royal Princess's 142,714 GT. Royal Princess offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.1 GT per passenger versus 35.3. Built in 2013, Royal Princess is 5 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Independence of the Seas
Royal Princess
Size
154,407 GT
142,714 GT
Passengers
4,370
3,560
Year Built
2008
2013
Crew Ratio
1:3.2
1:2.6
Space Ratio
35.3
40.1
Decks
—
—
Length
339m
330m
From Price
$1,306.7/pp
$1,473/pp
Comparison Verdict
Independence of the Seas is the larger vessel at 154,407 GT — 8% more than Royal Princess's 142,714 GT. Royal Princess offers more personal space with a space ratio of 40.1 GT per passenger versus 35.3. Built in 2013, Royal Princess is 5 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Independence of the Seas |
| Capacity | Independence of the Seas |
| Modernity | Royal Princess |
| Service | Royal Princess |
| Spaciousness | Royal Princess |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Independence of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Independence of the Seas |
Bottom line: Independence of the Seas leads 4–3 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Independence of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Royal Princess if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Independence of the Seas if...
- Size matters to you (154,407 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,370 guests)
- Save $166.3/person on sailings
Choose Royal Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2013, 5yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.6:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (40.1 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Independence of the Seas
Leaves in 8 days
Leaves in 13 days
Leaves in 18 daysUpcoming Sailings on Royal Princess
Spots going fast
Leaves in 8 days
Leaves in 15 daysHotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data — gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better — more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes — up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
